I Think I am Getting Old...

[Deleted]

I drove my car the other day and it overheated on me. Not sure what the problem is, but frustrating none the less.

Did some online research and decided that since the first suggestion seems to be to replace the thermostat, I bought one and decided to attempt it myself.

Four hours of gymnastics miracles later I was able to get the old one out and the new one in and get everything back together.

Got in the car and it overheated.  Damn.  I am going to try bleeding air out of the coolant, but I am not terribly convinced that will help.

Nothing sucks more than 4 hours, and an insanely painful back today (thus the getting old title) and my problem still isn't fixed.  (Smacks head with hand.)

I think I might need a man for this one... or at least a professional.  LOL

[tskeeter]

First of all, it's winter time.  If you're over heating, you've got a significant problem.  A significant problem doesn't = hard to fix.  Just something you want to take care of right away to prevent overheating the engine to the point where you cause damage.  (Warped heads are really expensive to repair.)

Yes, you'll need to bleed the air out of the coolant.  It's kind of a two step process these days.  First, while the engine is cool, remove the radiator cap and top off the coolant.  This is best done right after you have replaced the thermostat.  After replacing the thermostat, remove the radiator cap,  start the car and let it idle with cap off.  This will allow air bubbles to make their way to the radiator.  Top off the coolant and replace the raditor cap.  Second, bring the coolant level in the coolant recovery tank up to the full mark.  Then go back in a few days and check the coolant level in the coolant recovery tank and top it off to replace the coolant that has been drawn into the cooling system as any additional air bubbles have made their way through the cooling system.

Since you're still having overheating problems, I wonder if your thermostat was the problem.  How long has it been since the radiator hoses were replaced?  If it's been more than 4 or 5 years, your problem might be an old radiator hose that is collapsing as the engine speed increases.  If a hose is collapsing, the water pump can't circulate the coolant through the radiator, so the heat just builds up in the coolant in the engine block and the engine will eventually over heat.  The way to check for a collapsing hose is to watch the hoses carefully while one of the boys slowly revs up the engine and see if one of the hoses is collapsing.  Just watch out for the fan and acessory drive belt as you're doing this.  Getting a hand or your hair tangled up the the fan or belt wouldn't be much fun.

Another possibility is that the impeller on the water pump has failed.  With the radiator cap off and the radiator full, you should be able to see the coolant circulating through the radiator.  If there is no circulation, you probably have a problem with the water pump.  (I'm making the assumption that the accessory drive belt is tight and is actually spinning the pulley on the water pump, not slipping and squealing when the car and belt are cold or when you blip the acellerator.)     

[Peace Of Mind]

And people wonder why the labor is always more than the part.  Good luck in figuring it out before you run out of money! 

Oh, and was your previous name Archie?     Ask him what his dryer ended up costing him when he tried to fix it himself.  

[milee]

Speaking of feeling old. At Costco last week, the cashier mentioned that she was tired after working all day. Given how busy they were, that was totally understandable. Then she rubbed her back and said "Man, I feel old!"

I'm pretty sure she is half my age.